ESPINHO 2005 – Renowned for its vast,
sun-kissed beaches and wonderful selection of seafood restaurants, Espinho is a
popular holiday town in Aveiro province that has developed a reputation as a
fantastic venue for the SWATCH-FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour over the past 10
years. The 2005 Portuguese Open on the Praia da Baia features a mixed gender event as the women return to Espinho for
the first-time since 2001 when Olympic and World Champions Misty May and Kerri
Walsh of the United States won their first-ever SWATCH-FIVB World Tour Beach
Volleyball gold medal. Situated on Portugal's northwestern coast known as the
Costa Verde, Espinho is located 11 miles (18km) south of Porto. In addition to
the long stretch of golden sandy beach, Espinho has a a casino, bullfight ring,
a range of shops, restaurants, hotels and campsites. The town also boasts one
of the oldest golf courses in the world, dating from 1890.

Women
– For the first-time since 2001, the women’s SWATCH-FIVB World Tour returns to
Espinho. Women’s teams from the United States have won five of the previous
gold medals on the Portugal coast, including four-straight as Olympic Champions
Misty May and Kerri Walsh won their first ever FIVB title in Espinho. The win
by Brazilians Sandra Pires and Jackie Silva in 1996 was their first stop after
capturing the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. Ana Pereira and
Maria Jose Schuller
posted a 2000 Espinho seventh was the best finish by a Portugal team. Pic (left to right):FIVB President Ruben Acosta
with Athens 2004 gold medallists Misty May and Kerry Walsh as Holly McPeak looks
on.